Universal joint



April 19, 1932. w, Y R 1,854,586

UNIVERSAL JOINT Original Fild June 25, 1928 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 19,1932. I J. w. HYER 1,854,586

UNIVERSAL JOINT Original Filed June 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a nuem oz.9 7 6 JW g-er flame/1 Patented Apr. 19, 1932 STAT S TENT error;

JOHN W. HYEB, OF KIRKWOOID, MISSOURI UNIVERSAL JOINT Application filedJune 23, 1926, Serial Another object of the invention is to providesegmental racks having their teeth staggered in order to prevent lateralmovement of the segments when the teeth thereof are in mesh.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter having a hand grip associated therewith in order that thejoint can be braced when in operation.

lVith these and other objects in view, th1s invention resides in thenovel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangementof parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation.

Figure 2 is an end View.

Figure 3 is a plan view.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view.

The device comprises a pair of heads 1 which have formed integraltherewith sleeves 2, in which are rotatable the opposed ends of theshafts 3, either one of which may be the driving shaft.

The heads 1 are provided with laterally spaced segmental racks 4;, theteeth 5 of each rack being staggered so that when in mesh lateralmovement of the racks is prevented, as will be obvious. 7

Fixed to the inner ends of the shafts 3 are semi-spherical gears 6, theteeth 7 thereof being so arranged that they will mesh not only when theshafts 3 are in direct alignment, but when the shafts are in angularrelationship.

In order to hold the gears 6 and segments at in mesh plates 7 areprovided and have their ends pivotally connected to segments 4 by N0.287,681. Renewed May 13, 1931.

bolts 8, said plates each having formed integral therewith a single arm9 and a pair of arms 10 extending in opposite directions, said armsbeingprovided, respectively, upon their terminals with flanges 11 and12, the purpose of which will be later explained. I

The sleeves 2 are provided with transverse slots 13 in which are engagedthe arms of-the yoke 14, there being set screws 15 carried by thesleeves for engaging the yoke arms to hold the same interlocked with thesleeves when desired. I

The terminals of the yoke arms 14 are riveted to the ends of the strap16, said strap being also riveted between the flanges 11 and 12 of thearms 10, said strap having engaged thereon a hand grip 17. The bightportion of the yoke is riveted between the flanges 11 and 12 of the arms9.

It will be apparent that when the set screws 7 15 are in bindingengagement with the yoke arms that the heads 1 and gears 6 can be heldin alignment or in angular relationship, as desired. When the set screwsare released it will be apparent that the joint can flex, at which timethe segments 4 can rock upon each other as the gears are rotated.

In some instances it may be desired to brace the joint during itsoperation, therefor the hand grip 17 has been provided.

It will thus be seen that a joint has been provided which can be usedfor various purposes, and wherever it is desired to produce an angularadjustment of the driving gears.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation andmany advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, without further description, and it will beundergears, a yoke supported by the plates and having its arms slidablein the sleeves and means for interlocking the yoke with the sleeves tohold the gears in various angles of adjustment.

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of heads havingsleeves carried thereby, said sleeves having transverse slots therein,segmental racks carried by the heads and in mesh with each other, shaftsjournaled in the sleeves and having gears carried by their inner ends,said gears being in mesh between the racks, plates pivotally Connectingthe racks, said plates having arms, a yoke fixed to certain of the armsand slidable in the slots, means for securing the yoke within the slots,and a hand grip associated with certain other of the arms.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

JOHN W. HYER. a a]

